Imaging of osteoporosis.

There are many imaging methods for evaluating osteoporosis. Only a limited assessment of bone density and trabecular architecture can be done by plain radiography. Radiography is most useful in finding atraumatic fractures that are associated with osteoporosis. Radionuclide bone scanning and MRI also are useful in finding these fractures. Evaluation of bone density is most frequently assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry but can be done by other methods.